Thursday, June 30, 2016

My mom always sends me e-mails or texts with information from her Bible Studies or scripture that pertains to our current life situation or even something she things I would benefit from reading. I love it so much! It always encouraging and perfect timing! I save them in my e-mail and go back through them when it comes to mind. I have shared some of the articles, scripture, etc. before but I think someone needs a few of these little tidbits I am sharing today. I hope you enjoy!

Mom sends e-mails she receives from Christine Caine's daily devotions...I took a short piece from a recent one she sent. She talks about how God wants us to see not with our eyes but with our faith...

If there’s one key to watching the walls in your life fall, to moving forward in freedom, to seeing the promises of God at work, then this is it:
You must learn to believe the truth of God’s Word over the facts of your circumstances.Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23).

She also writes...

The plan that God has for our lives usually complements the gifts and personality that He has placed in us. His desire is that we use our gifts for His glory, to build His kingdom. In order to do that, we must discover God’s purpose for our lives by seeking Him, reading His Word and searching our hearts for the gifts and passion He has placed there.
It’s important to understand that our purpose is always part of God’s bigger plan. However, unless we discover our inner sense of purpose (why we are on the planet), any part we might be called to play in a bigger plan will never get off the ground.
We are designed by God for accomplishment, engineered for success and endowed with seeds of greatness.

God wants you to wait patiently for him to answer your prayer, but he also wants you to wait expectantly. Have faith. Trust God to hear and to answer. When you wait expectantly, you show God that you believe his promises. You believe he’s going to keep his word. The second thing you need to remember is that, whether or not you ever receive your answer, God will honor your patience — if not in this world then in eternity.

Did you know that in the Bible, not once are you told to resist temptation? We are told to resist the Devil, and that’s a whole different issue. But the key to overcoming temptation is not to push back. It’s to change your focus.
Whatever gets your attention gets you. The battle for sin always starts in the mind. That’s why the Bible says in Psalm 119:6, “Thinking about your commands will keep me from doing some foolish thing” (CEV). Why? Because if you’re thinking about God’s truth, you’re not thinking about the less important stuff.
It’s true in every single area of life — good or bad. If you focus on godly things, it’s going to pull you that direction. If you focus on the stuff that’s at the movies and in magazines, it’s going to pull you that direction. Whatever you focus on gets your attention. Whatever gets your attention is going to get you.
The key is to just change your mind.
Temptation always follows a predictable pattern: attention, arousal, and action. Your mind gets hooked, your mind kicks in, and then you act on it.
So you don’t fight a temptation; you just turn your mind to something else. “We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NCV).
The thing is, we’re not very good at capturing every thought and turning it to Christ, because it takes lots of practice. You can’t always control your circumstances, and you can’t even always control the way you feel. But you can control what you think about. That’s always your choice. And if you change the way you think, it changes the way you feel, and that will change the way you act.

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

It's been a few months since I have linked up with Shay, Andrea, and Mel for What's Up Wednesday. I am excited to join this time around. ;)

What we are eating this week...

Monday-steak and sweet potatoes

Tuesday-caribbean jerk chicken with asparagus

Wednesday- taco w/lettuce wraps

Thursday- lemon pepper chicken w/green beans

Friday- Kitchen closed ;)

I didn't add details regarding our menu. Since Feb. we have been really working on eating a certain way during the week and it's really helped the way we all feel. We do add a serving fruit and usually another veggie.

What I'm loving...

This summer!!! I know I have said it already but I am really enjoying this summer. We are staying bust but really having fun together!

What we have been up to...

SWIMMING!!!! We have fish as children....

What I am dreading...

School starting in Aug. ;( I am loving this summer so much and I am not ready for the kids to be back in school!

What I am working on...

Projects, projects, and more projects!!! Mark and I made a serious list of household things we wanted to get done and I am checking them off like a mad woman. LOL!

What I am excited about...

VACATION!!! I can't wait to spend a week on the beach with my people! We aren't going until the end of Aug. so it's so tough to see all these vacation pictures. LOL! Soon we will depart....;)

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Yesterday was the Red, White + Blue edition of Erika and Andrea's monthly Let's Talk. I am playing catch up today. ;) I used to decorate BIG TIME for almost every little holiday then one day I just stopped. I am not really sure why but I did...I don't really miss doing it at this point so I am enjoying being festive in other ways. LOL!

I will post about our 4th of July themed family dinner soon. We have been having so much fun planning and decorating for these fun family dinners! I don't know about you but we have a CRAZY busy and FUN weekend ahead. I am trying to prepare in advance as much as possible. It does seem to run a little smoother when Mama is prepared, right!?!?! I am totally going the clothes route with this Let's Chat Red, White, + Blue post and sharing some weekend outfits. ;)

First up: Sloane

She isn't wearing this because duh, we live in MO where it's 1,000 degrees on 4th of July but this chambray halter top romper would be so cute with a monogram and some fun jelly sandals.

Mark is pretty basic when it comes to clothes. I really like the striped v-neck tee and you can't ever go wrong with plaid. Ha ha!

Lastly....ME!

I love these fun summer dresses! The cami dress is so cute and looks super comfortable. I also love this tee dress. I already have this in a different color! It's perfect to dress up for church and still dress down with flip flop for a regular day.

I can't wait to enjoy a family filled festive weekend!!! Yahoo for Red, White, + Blue!!!

Monday, June 27, 2016

Last week was a busy one and it continued into the weekend. No complaints here though...we have been having SO MUCH FUN! I wish I could freeze time right now and live in this summer forever. LOL! Not really because I do enjoy watching them grow but goodness it's happening SO FAST!!!

We got to pick up a friend of Wyatt (and Sloane's) from a VBS she was attending last week. The plan was to swim but the weather wasn't cooperating so we opted for Steak n' Shake and to play at our house instead. ;) They had such a fun time together. I love to see these new"ish" friendships growing into something I hope is a forever!!!

Tuesday was my mom's b-day. We didn't get to see her on her actual birthday but we cheers to her by stopping at a lemonade stand. Growing up my mom never passed a little stand without stopping...there are lots of things I want my kids to remember about growing up but I love that I can pass this fun little memory on...;)

Sis is still my little shadow. I think I step on her toes 5,083 times a day because she DOESN'T leave my side...her and I had to take a quick selfie Thursday morning while we were out running errands.

This cracked me up when I saw it on Instagram! I had to repost!!! LOL

This was a crazy week for cookies too! I had 12 dozen to bake/decorate. That's actually been a pretty normal week but it seemed they all fell on the same day.

Saturday morning Mark's mom called and asked to take the kids to see white tigers. They were at a little petting zoo place south of us. They were so excited! The had so much fun even though it was hot!!

I just had to share this picture...she was so little!!! and CUTE!!!!

Saturday night Mark and I attended an engagement shower for his cousin. Wyatt and Sloane are the flower girl and ring bearer in the wedding. *LOVE* We are so excited for Caitlyn and Chris!!

The cake and some more cookies that were part of my 12 dozen, LOL!!

*FAMILY*

Sunday morning we got up and headed to church. After church we spent time swimming and eating lunch at Mark's parent's with them and his sister and her husband. It was supposed to rain but it held off and we had so much fun in the SUNSHINE!!!

After swimming we came home for dinner and a fun summer treat....Smores!!! (in the a.c.) LOL!! We had such a fun filled weekend!!! Bring on Monday....

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Sloane completed her dance year earlier this week. She started at her current studio all the way back in Sept. Dance is something she is LOVING right now!! The class she was in performed a tap and a ballet number.

She was front and center and LOVED every moment...let's say she is FAR FROM stage fright!!!

After the recital it was dark outside so there wasn't any where good to take pictures. ;( We did the best we could....LOL

(we snapped a photo with my mom before because she had to drive 2 hours back home after the recital so she wasn't there at the end)

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

We have used the same photographer pretty much since Sloane's newborn photo shoot. We love Angie (Simpli Photography) so much!!! She recently contacted me and asked if she could use us a "models" for a special lifestyle photo shoot. It was perfect timing as I have been wanting a new family picture and this particular shoot was perfect. It was a "faith based" lifestyle shoot. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing she is at capturing special moments...